Church News
Compiled by Bruce Henderson
APPRECIATION FOR BISHOP AND MRS. KLINE
Several hundred people gathered in the Bryn Athyn Society Building on June
16th for a special luncheon honoring the Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Kline and his
wife, Nina (Dunlap), upon his retirement as Executive Bishop of the General
Church.
Tom had just preached at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral about John’s vision
of the Lord in the book of Revelation and how we can really see and know the
Lord in His Second Coming.
In a program emceed by Jim Adams, General Manager of the Academy
Secondary Schools and former Director of the Cathedral, affectionate tributes
were presented by the Rev. Jeremy Simons, retiring pastor of the Bryn Athyn
Church, and the Rev. Chuck Blair, whose NewChurch LIVE was launched
under Tom’s leadership.
The program was live-streamed throughout the Church, and video tributes
were offered by: the Rt. Rev. Peter M. Buss Jr., from Glenview, Illinois, where
he had just been ordained into the third degree of the priesthood in preparation
to coming to Bryn Athyn July 1 to serve as Assistant to the Bishop; the Rev.
Erik J. Buss, assistant pastor of the Bryn Athyn Church; and the Rev. Glenn
(Mac) Frazier, pastor of the New Way Church in Austin, Texas, which was
planted under Tom’s leadership. The congregation of the Olivet New Church
in Toronto, Canada, led all in singing “The Lord upon you send His blessing”
to Tom and Nina.
Messages of appreciation were read from David Frazier, Executive
Director of the General Church, and Wayne Parker, former Director of
Development.
After a prolonged standing ovation of gratitude and appreciation, Tom
and Nina were presented with a beautiful stone engraved with the familiar,
comforting words from Arcana Coelestia 8455: “Peace has within it confidence
in the Lord.”
In his response expressing thanks to the gathering, Bishop Kline left us
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